NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels dislocated his left elbow, which means he will be out for several weeks. An MRI is scheduled for Tuesday, and while he will miss some games, there’s a possibility he could return before the season wraps up. Rapoport mentioned that Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack had a similar injury this year, which kept him sidelined for about five weeks.
Daniels sustained this injury during the fourth quarter of a tough loss to the Seahawks, which ended 38-14. This has led to some criticism towards head coach Dan Quinn for leaving the QB in during that moment of the game. Having already faced injuries this season, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year had previously missed three games due to a knee sprain and a hamstring issue.
The team has had its fair share of injuries this year. Veteran running back Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon in Week 2, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin has also been sidelined for a while with a quad injury. Currently on a four-game losing streak, the prospect of making the playoffs appears quite bleak, especially with Daniels likely heading to injured reserve.
Daniels was the No. 3 quarterback based on average draft position heading into the season. Given his injury struggles, the coaching staff may need to adjust to his absence once more. Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will step in during this period, but with only a 6.6% participation rate so far, he’s available for those needing a replacement. Still, he hasn’t had a significant fantasy impact, averaging just 16.9 points across his three starts this season. Players like Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and Joe Flacco could be viable options on the waiver wire for those looking for a quarterback while Daniels is out.
The ramifications of Daniels’ injury could affect other key players on the team like Bill Klosky-Merritt, Deebo Samuel, and Zach Ertz, so managers may want to reconsider including them in their lineups moving forward. Interestingly, though, backup running back Jeremy McNichols has shown improvement. Mariota started all three games he’s been active this season, and while it might not be time to rush to add McNichols to your roster just yet, it’s a situation worth keeping an eye on.
